General Conference Information

On September 16 -18 of 2018, the National Goat Consortium will host the 3rd National Goat Conference (NGC) at Tuskegee University which is located in Tuskegee, Alabama. The National Goat Consortium is an 1890 land-grant initiative that membership consists of 1890 administrators, faculty and staff, community based organizations, farmers and governmental agencies. The consortium held the first NGC at Florida A&M University in 2010 and the second conference was hosted by North Carolina A&T University in 2013. Both conferences were a tremendous success with over 400 participants in attendance at each event. The purpose of the NGC was to address critical issues facing this nation’s goat industry. To address this concern, educational opportunities were provided for farmers, agricultural professionals and students across the U.S. Producers from the Caribbean also attended both events. In 2018, Tuskegee University will continue to provide both classroom and hands-on activities on a variety of topic areas related to goat production, product development, parasite management and marketing.

Internet/WiFi:All conference venues offer complimentary access to Internet/ WiFi. Codes will be provided in conference materials. Dining and Entertainment: The Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa hosts several restaurants, beer and wine bars, and a grab-and-go coffee house with a number of other venues within walking distance. Please visit the hotel website for more details.

Dining & Entertainment:The Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Spa hosts several restaurants, beer and wine bars, and a grab-and-go coffee house with a number of other venues within walking distance. Please visit the hotel website for more details.

Shopping: The Renaissance hosts an on-site gift shop that sells not only souvenirs, but also toiletries, clothing, and other sundries that you may find yourself in need of on-site. Montgomery is also home to the Shoppes of Eastchase (https://www.theshoppesateastchase.com/), an open-air fashion and lifestyle center with over 50 stores located at I-85 and Taylor Road in Montgomery, AL as well as the Eastdale Mall (http://eastdale-mall.com/) which is the IN place to shop with a unique selection of fashions, gifts and accessories, find the largest collection of your favorite stores.

Insurance: Personal liability insurance is the responsibility of each individual meeting participant. Participants should have their own medical coverage.

Medical Services:This information is provided as a courtesy to meeting attendees; NGC makes no claim regarding the quality of these services, nor assumes any liability. For medical emergencies, dial 911.

Press Relations and News Coverage:The Consortium encourages news coverage of the meeting and will assist participants and the media in reporting current research discoveries and developments related to the goat industry. Prior to the meeting, questions should be addressed to this year’s chairperson, Dr. Ralph Noble at rcnoble@ncat.edu.

Journalists must check-in at the NGC Registration Office and present their credentials to receive a press pass. Cell Phones: Cell phones must be turned off or silenced during presentations. Thank you for your cooperation.

Cell Phones: Cell phones must be turned of or silenced during presentations. thank you for your cooperation.

Photography & Video: Photographs or video of posters or other presentations is not permitted by anyone other than approved NGC staff.

Sales Taxes:Montgomery, AL sales tax is 10%.

Smoking Regulations:Smoking is prohibited within the conference venues and host hotel. Guests who smoke are permitted to do so in designated areas.

Special Needs:To ensure that all attendees are able to participate in the meeting, NGC will do its best to accommodate any attendee who needs assistance. Please contact the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (agriculture@tuskegee.edu or 334-727-8453) prior to the meeting if you require special dietary or physical accommodations at the meeting or if you require assistance getting to or from sessions/events.

Conference Transportation

Montgomery Airport: Montgomery, AL is home to the conference hotel and less than 40 minutes west of Tuskegee, AL. Individuals who choose to fly into Montgomery, may rent a car or take an Uber for less than $10 to the conference hotel. Taxi service is also available from the Montgomery Airport. Visit http://www.flymgm.com/ to learn more.

Atlanta Airport: Tuskegee, AL is located approximately two hours west of the Atlanta Airport, which has a shuttle service, Groome Transportation 334-821-3399 or http://auburn.groometransportation.com/, which drops off at the Tuskegee University campus. Car rentals are also available at this airport.

Birmingham Airport: Montgomery, AL is located approximately 1.5 hours south of Birmingham, AL. Visit http://www.flybirmingham.com/ to find out more about options for transport from the Birmingham Airport to Montgomery/Tuskegee keeping in mind that car rental is also an option at this airport.

If driving to Tuskegee University or the Renaissance Hotel, please use the following addresses with your GPS service:

No shuttle sevice available. All events will take place at the Renaissance Hotel.

Wednesday, September 19

Individuals requesting service between Montgomery, AL and ATL airport may do so; however, a $30 fee will apply for this service. A minimum of 10 people must sign up. To register for this service, the portal will be open August 1, 2018 and close August 31, 2018.

Local Attractions

Whether coming early and staying over, the location of the National Goat Conference offers a unique opportunity for event participants with access to numerous historic sites and more!

Tuskegee (Institute), AL

1. Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

2. Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site

3. George Washington Carver Museum

4. The Legacy Museum at Tuskegee University

5. Tuskegee Human & Civil Rights Multicultural Center

6. Tuskegee National Forest

7. Whipporwill Vineyards

Montgomery, AL

1. Rosa Parks Museum

2. Civil Rights Memorial

3. Montgomery Zoo

4. The Hank Williams Museum

5. First White House of the Confederacy

Conference Contacts

For more information about the conference (e.g., registration, sponsorship), please visit our website or contact Dr. Nar Gurung at (334) 727- 8457; ngurung@tuskegee.edu or Angela McKenzie-Jakes at 850-875-8552 or angela.mckenziejakes@famu.edu.